American ID tag - 8-12-digit number prefaced with "USA" (accepted as ID when applied before March 11, 2015)

Manufacturer-coded RFID tag - 15-digit number with the first three digits in a 900 series, such as 980, 982 or 985 (accepted as ID when applied before March 11, 2015)

Please note: Wisconsin has no reciprocal agreements with other states regarding the use of tattoos and registration numbers as identification. As a result, breed association tattoos and breed registration numbers are not accepted as official identification. In addition, brands are not accepted as official ID.

All dairy breed feeder cattle of any age, including steers, born after March 11, 2013, must have official identification (see section above). The CVI must include the official individual ID for all intact animals. For steers, either the official ID or a statement indicating the animals are officially identified is acceptable.

All beef breed feeder cattle of any age, excluding steers, must have official identification (see section above). The CVI must include the official ID for all intact animals. For steers, a statement indicating the animals do not belong to a class of cattle or bison to which the official identification requirements apply should be added.

A backtag will work as ID only for animals going directly to slaughter.

Veal calves of dairy breeds must have at least one form of official individual ID regardless of age or sex.

Veal calves of beef breeds do not need official ID but must be identified as veal calves on the CVI.

No TB tests required.

No import permit required.

Slaughter cattle

Cattle going directly to slaughter are not required to have official individual ID or a CVI but must have paperwork, such as a bill of lading or bill of sale, that includes all of the following:

Location from which the animals originated

Destination of the animals (not the address of the consignee)

Total number of animals

Species of animals

Name and address of the owner at the time of the movement

Name and address of the shipper

However, animals that are designated as slaughter animals but are not being sent directly to a slaughter establishment or directly to an approved federal facility and then directly to a slaughter establishment must meet import requirements above.

Exporting cattle to Massachusetts

Import requirements are determined by the state of destination. Please contact Massachusetts to find out the import regulations for cattle being imported from Wisconsin. You can find the current contact information here.

Cattle that are traveling to Massachusetts and returning to Wisconsin while the CVI is still valid may return with the same paperwork with no additional tests or statements required.

If the cattle are scheduled to return after the date the CVI expires, they will need a new CVI issued by a local veterinarian licensed by the state of Massachusetts and must meet the import requirements above.